Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:36:01 -0700 (PDT) From: Macout Mann <macoutmann@yahoo.com> Subject: AGE OF WANTONNESS 16 This is a sexually oriented fantasy set in the future. The author does not condone the activities depicted. He only describes what might occur, given the premises upon which the story is based. Skittish readers should use caution. Minors should move on. Sexual activity is explicitly detailed. Please take time to comment. macoutmann@yahoo.com AGE OF WANTONNESS by Macout Mann Chapter 16 Tuesday, July 15. The pretrial hearing and arraignment of Jacob Jennings is scheduled at 10:00. Spangler has pressed to have it early in the week, so that his client can make bail. Weston has decided that he will have only Susannah testify. Her statement should be sufficient to show cause. He wants to keep Sister Jane out of it for as long as he can. Judge Stephen Falcon will preside. Although the newsscreen and tv have both treated the arrest as big news, the courtroom is filled mostly by Pilgrims, led by Jacob's father. "All rise!" The bailiff calls the court into session and announces the case of the People versus Jacob Jennings. "Zachery Weston for the prosecution," Weston announces. "Ronald Spangler for the defense," Spangler echoes. "This is an arraignment and pretrial hearing," the judge states. "Jacob Jennings, you are charged with the rape of Susannah Deamon on or about the second of July, 2042. How do you plead?" "The defendant pleads `Not Guilty,' your honor," Spangler states. He then continues, "And the defense requests that in view of the defendant's distinguished status in the religious community, he be released on his own recognizance." "Rape is a most serious charge, counselor. Do you honestly think that the court would entertain release without bond?" Before Spangler can respond, Weston interjects, "Your honor, the prosecution maintains that the defendant is a serious flight risk. We propose that he be held pending trial...without bond." "How...how can you say such a thing?" Spangler says to Weston. "Counsel will address the court," the judge demands. "Your honor," Weston continues, "as you have said, the charge is most serious, carrying an almost certain sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Pilgrim Fellowship, which is headed by the defendant's father, has more than adequate resources to finance the defendant's flight from prosecution; and the defendant's father, himself, said in a sermon he delivered last Sunday—a vid of which we have available to view—he said that `he [the defendant] must be allowed to go his way, wherever the master leads him,' and `this illegitimate government has no authority over [the defendant]. "We will be pleased to screen the entire vid." "We will stipulate to the accuracy of the quotations, your honor," Spangler responds, "but surely counsel for the state realizes that they were merely rhetorical flourishes." "The prosecution maintains that the tone, in which the entire sermon was preached, suggests that they were dead serious." Weston pauses, then adds, "And we are prepared to show that there is more than sufficient evidence to proceed to trial." "You can have no such evidence!" the elder Jennings shouts. "There will be order!" Judge Falcon bangs his gavel. "If the prosecution feels so strongly, we would be amenable to a bond of...fifty thousand dollars?" Spangler could sense the tide turning against him. "We insist the accused be held without bond," Weston says. "The defendant will be remanded into custody," the judge states. "Are you prepared to show cause, Mr. Prosecutor?" "Your honor," Spangler interrupts, "in view of your decision, we will waive pretrial, if we can move to an early adjudication. "No objection," says Weston. The judge pours over his calendar. "How many days do you expect it will take to put on you case, Mr. Weston? "No more than three, your honor." "Mr. Spangler?" "At this time, I'd say one, perhaps two." "Trial will be set for ten hundred on Monday, August 4." The judge gavels the hearing to a close. Back in his office after lunch, Weston is visited by Detective Winslow. "We have had women detectives interview all of the girls on the list we got from Sister Jane," he begins. "All are thirteen or older, so I don't think it's worth pursuing the statutory rape angle. But we've definitely established that there is such a thing as the Society of Mary Magdalene. None of the girls' parents knew anything about what was going on, and were very hostile to our inquiry. Our detectives were very careful in their questioning. Four of the girls, obviously terrified, denied knowing anything. "But three of the girls were reached at what is called `Vacation Bible School,' and without their parents present our women were able to gain more of their confidence. All three admitted being chosen for the Magdalene Society, but one would say nothing further. The other two mentioned both Sister Jane and Jacob, and said that Jacob had done holy things with them, but it was a secret what it was. The detectives didn't ask point blank if it involved being fucked. We didn't know how far you wanted to go." "That's good work, detective. I think we should sit on it for now. If we can't charge statutory rape, there may be no reason to bring the girls into it. And since Jane has said they all participated willingly, pre-pubescence is the only basis for that charge. "It gives us another indication that Jane and the Daemon girl are telling the truth, however." He then snickers and adds, "I wonder if that Crane boy's into her yet." Spangler visits Jacob to let him know he'd done his best. "Your father's outburst didn't help our cause," he comments. "So I must be locked up for three more weeks," Jacob laments. He adds to himself, "And I need some pussy bad." Then aloud, "Why hasn't Sister Jane been to see me?" "I asked her to come," Spangler answers. "She said she would as soon as she could. She's probably got her hands full at headquarters with you gone." For the first time Spangler broaches the discrepancy between what Jacob told him about Susannah and what he'd told his father. "Oh I'd forgotten, or I didn't think it was important!" Jacob says testily. "Look, Jacob, everything is important. Weston was brimming with confidence this morning. I think he would've been willing to go to trial today. You've got to tell me everything you know, no matter how insignificant you think it is." Spangler also visits Brother Bryan. "A fine lawyer you turned out to be!" Jennings says accusingly. "Your outburst didn't help any. And obviously neither did your sermon. We've got to tread lightly, brother. "Zack Weston is good, and both he the judge are fair; but they don't like us or respect our way of life. We simply mustn't give them anything to use against us. "Weston is so confident about this case he's practically dancing on the table. There's got to be a reason why. "And I have a feeling Jacob isn't telling us everything..." "You think my son is...!" "Hear me out! It's just a feeling, but I think Jacob knows more than he's saying. He may not realize something is important. I don't know. "He has asked for Sister Jane Cunningham to come to see him. Maybe I should talk to her. She might shed some light." "You'd be wasting your time. She's one of Jacob's four assistants, and they've been really busy these last few days. But she would know nothing!" Copyright 2012 by Macout Mann. All rights reserved. nifty.org appreciates your contributions. They keep the service free to all.